Stabling is associated with airway inflammation in young Arabian horses.
Authors: Holcombe S J, Jackson C, Gerber V, Jefcoat A, Berney C, Eberhardt S, Robinson N E
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
# Stabling and Airway Inflammation in Young Horses Environmental housing significantly influences airway health in young horses. Holcombe and colleagues studied 14 yearling Arabian horses using a crossover design, alternating 3-month periods of stabling and pasture turnout whilst performing monthly endoscopic examinations and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) sampling to assess upper and lower airway inflammation. Stabling was associated with persistent pharyngeal lymphoid hyperplasia and guttural pouch inflammation, whereas these upper airway changes resolved during pasture periods; moreover, BAL fluid from stabled horses contained elevated neutrophil counts (higher percentage and absolute numbers) alongside reduced lymphocyte percentages, indicative of lower airway inflammation. Notably, upper and lower airway inflammation occurred independently, suggesting distinct inflammatory pathways triggered by stabling conditions rather than a single mechanism. For practitioners, these findings underscore the importance of pasture access or alternative housing strategies (improved ventilation, reduced dust exposure) in young performance horses, particularly given that subclinical airway inflammation during development may have long-term consequences for athletic potential and respiratory health.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Stabling young Arabian horses increases both upper and lower airway inflammation; consider pasture management as a management strategy to reduce airway disease risk
- •If stabling is necessary, monitor stabled horses more frequently for signs of airway disease and consider supplementary anti-inflammatory support
- •Extended pasture time appears to have a protective effect on airway health in young horses, suggesting turnout should be maximized when possible
Key Findings
- •Stabling was associated with persistent upper airway inflammation scores that remained constant, whereas scores decreased during 3-month pasture periods
- •Stabled horses showed higher neutrophil counts and percentages in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid compared to pastured horses
- •Stabling was associated with lower lymphocyte percentages in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid
- •Dorsal displacement of soft palate occurred more frequently in stabled than pastured horses during nasal occlusion testing